[Garywt]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Never did any cruises. Just not a fan of food preparation for a multitude of people. Plus being out to sea, is just not a relaxing vaca for us

That is too bad but you have to do the things you love.

[Garywt]

Originally Posted by missypie

As soon as we can. But, from Florida only.

At some point we will have cape Canaveral on speed dial.

[gatorbill1]

Probably 2022 if things are ok then. We prefer to cruise in Europe only, no boring Caribbean cruises for us. Also do not frequent buffet, prefer sit down meals served to us. NCL seems to be the best we have found for all above reasons.

[Bilyclub]

Good to see all the cruise haters chiming in. More room for the rest of us onboard.

[Seasonal]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Good to see all the cruise haters chiming in. More room for the rest of us onboard.

I love the haters that have never been on a cruise. Watching an episode of the TV show Love Boat may not make you an expert on cruising.

Can't wait to retire and be close to a cruise port or two.

[Stu from NYC]

Interesting that people who have never cruised and do not want to would weigh in on this.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by FG111

Sorry to hear that as many cruise solely for the Buffets. Seriously, the BUFFETS are nice for a quick bite, but all of the major lines have paid specialty restaurants which serve a fantastic meal in a very nice environment.

HA HA HA - yeah, I don't even know what to THINK of someone who cruises for the buffet! But the specialty restaurants - oh yeah!

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by bilyclub

good to see all the cruise haters chiming in. More room for the rest of us onboard.

yup!

[valuemkt]

Definitely suffering from cruise withdrawal. Have Greek Islands, another Med cruise - this time with daughter and son in law, river cruise that includes Vienna and Budapest on the itinerary.. maybe another Caribbean if Europe is still shut down.

[tophcfa]

Since we have never been on a cruise, we plan on cruising as frequently as we ever have.

[FG111]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Never did any cruises. Just not a fan of food preparation for a multitude of people. Plus being out to sea, is just not a relaxing vaca for us

If I may provide a piece of advise. I have taken over 60 separate cruise throughout my life and I can tell you with 100% certainty that excluding a few rough weather sea days, I have always had a great time cruising and if cruising became 100% safe tonight, I would take a cruise tomorrow morning.

For anyone who has never taken a cruise before, I hope that before you pass, you give cruising a chance. Cruising is one of life's great experiences, especially for the older group.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by FG111

If I may provide a piece of advise. I have taken over 60 separate cruise throughout my life and I can tell you with 100% certainty that excluding a few rough weather sea days, I have always had a great time cruising and if cruising became 100% safe tonight, I would take a cruise tomorrow morning.

For anyone who has never taken a cruise before, I hope that before you pass, you give cruising a chance. Cruising is one of life's great experiences, especially for the older group.

Absolutely!

[asianthree]

Just got to love the HATE comments. Our entire working career we took 2-3 months each year to travel Europe. Staying in places sometimes for weeks, and other places for a day or two. No plans, just enjoy local places that most would never find. Small vineyards, sometimes eating with locals in their homes. Our children still travel Europe and plan to return as soon as it is permitted.

Most of the trips were high energy, never have been the type to just sit. But then our work lives were always the same. We did love spending couple months in Hawaii, but some cities were just overcrowded. This will be the 2nd fall we will not be traveling to Europe. Last fall we had a River cruise planned at the end of our travels, but that didn’t happen. It we choose to travel a river will be something we might enjoy. But our big fear was the stagnant travel. The bonus was, Small amount of people, some of the finest wines available, paired with the perfect food courses.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Just got to love the HATE comments. Our entire working career we took 2-3 months each year to travel Europe. Staying in places sometimes for weeks, and other places for a day or two. No plans, just enjoy local places that most would never find. Small vineyards, sometimes eating with locals in their homes. Our children still travel Europe and plan to return as soon as it is permitted.

Most of the trips were high energy, never have been the type to just sit. But then our work lives were always the same. We did love spending couple months in Hawaii, but some cities were just overcrowded. This will be the 2nd fall we will not be traveling to Europe. Last fall we had a River cruise planned at the end of our travels, but that didn’t happen. It we choose to travel a river will be something we might enjoy. But our big fear was the stagnant travel. The bonus was, Small amount of people, some of the finest wines available, paired with the perfect food courses.

Hate comments? Do not think so.

Great that you have been able to travel so much. Cannot wait for us to be able to once again.

[kathyspear]

As some of you may know, cruise lines have tired of waiting for the CDC to give them the guidance that was promised months ago to get them sailing from U.S. ports again. They are moving ships to international "home ports" and starting up round trip cruises in June. Crystal is doing 7-nights in the Bahamas R/T Nassau and Bimini, stopping at 4 or 5 islands that are normally only visited by private yachts. Royal Caribbean has a ship sailing R/T from Nassau, another sailing R/T from Bermuda, and a third home porting in Cyprus for trips to Greece and Israel. Celebrity is sailing R/T St. Martin. NCL is expected to make a similar announcement any day. Carnival is hopeful that cruising from U.S. ports will be allowed sometime this summer so they are holding off on home ports outside the U.S. for the time being.

So far, all sailings require pax to be fulling vaccinated. (Crew will also be vax'd.) Pre-trip covid tests will likely be required for most if not all cruises this summer but that is because they are required by the countries where the ships are docked or where they will visit. The mask issue is up in the air right now. Some folks are worried about not being allowed to go off and explore in ports on their own. They didn't want to be limited to ship excursions only. So far, it looks like that will not be an issue.

The cruise lines have done a lot to ensure that people don't get sick (or get others sick) on board. I'm vaccinated and I am not worried in the least about getting covid on a ship. My only concern -- the only reason I have not yet booked a cruise -- is that I ***REALLY*** don't want to do a covid test. The idea of having a 10" swab stuck up my nose does not appeal to me for some reason. But I really want to get back on a ship. I have a milestone birthday coming up in August and most years I book a 4 or 5 night "birthday cruise" to the Bahamas or Caribbean. (This is in addition to one of our bigger trips every year or 18 months to Europe or someplace.) So I keep thinking about that 10" swab ... We shall see.

kathy